According to sources in Spain, Chelsea is getting close to signing Marc Guiu, a young player from Barcelona.

The 18-year-old striker scored twice in seven games in all competitions after making his first team debut in 2023–24.

But based on Marca’s report, the striker appears to have played his final game for Barcelona as he is close to signing with Chelsea. In order to acquire Guiu, the Blues overcame competition from Bayern Munich and activated the player’s £5 million release clause.

Chelsea made him a “unbeatable” offer before Barca, who thought he had a lot of potential, could come to an agreement and offered him a new contract. Guiu has spoken with new Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca multiple times, and he plans to start the young player in the starting lineup the next campaign.

Guiu thinks the Premier League fits his playing style and is drawn to Chelsea’s youth initiative. In October of last year, he made his senior Barca debut under Xavi against Athletic Bilbao, scoring with his second touch in a 1-0 victory.

Once Guiu made an immediate impression, Xavi spoke, saying, “Marc, a local kid, makes the difference for us.”He has a purpose, a spark, and I like him personally, so I have given him some thought. It’s not difficult for me to search the academy. In complete contrast. I offer the assurance they bestowed upon me when I was seventeen or eighteen.

It surprises me that they don’t feel afraid. I perceive a spark in them. “Give me a try, and you’ll see that it’s going to be fine,” is how they look at me.

Together with Gavi, Balde, Lamine, Fermin, and Marc, I witnessed it. He doesn’t appear afraid.